It was wonderful to see so many FCCMA members and guests at the conference in May! We had one of our largest turnouts since the recession, causing me to have hope that all of you are returning your own educational and professional goals to your budgets. I also want to thank the membership for giving Lynn Lovallo such a loving send-off for her retirement – she has been beaming since we returned. Carol Russell will assume Lynn’s post this week, becoming the FCCMA Executive Assistant. I know it will be a very smooth transition and am glad that Carol and Lynn had time this year to really work on improving some internal procedures as Carol learned her new role from Lynn. Not many associations can boast of a 19+year staff member!
Another transition will occur next May (2016): Casey Cook will become the FCCMA’s executive director, and I will transition into full-time with the FLC University. Most of you know that I’m moving to Orlando at the end of the month, and I’ll spend substantial time this year working with Casey to get him ready. Casey will continue to be part of the FLC advocacy team and I believe his Millennial energy and enthusiasm will be a tremendous asset to the association. When I hired Casey eight years ago to join the FLC staff in the Membership Development Department, we talked about him one day working with FCCMA – and that time is rapidly coming. I’ll complete my 20th year as your executive director next spring, so it’s wonderful timing for Casey and for me. Casey is a graduate of Dr. Bob Lee’s inaugural class of the Certificate in City and County Management – I’m so proud that he was there for the program’s beginning. I’m hopeful you’ll all meet Casey as he attends FCCMA events this year, and I’m confident you’ll greet him as warmly as you did me back in 1996. I think it is fitting that Lynn Lovallo and I were “the two L’s” as far as names, and Carol and Casey will be the ‘two C’s.”
Something else for 2016: it will be FCCMA’s 70th anniversary. What traditions do you include with anniversaries? We’ll be gathering ideas from you this year so that we can celebrate this milestone in style!
I’m hoping all of you are having good budget preparation sessions, and that this summer also allows you to relax and unwind when possible.
Lynn
